Making (nearly) perfect flying geese blocks

Nothing is perfect, but my flying geese blocks - at least the ones on the photo - are pretty close. I have tried many different methods to find out that I get the best results if I oversize the triangles and trim the block to the final size. This method uses a bit more fabric and a few extra steps, but the blocks are very accurate.

Accurate block

#1 The "unfinished" size is 1/2" wider and 1/2" longer than the finished size (1/4" seam allowance)

#2 The tip of the large triangle is 1/4" away from the top edge of the block

#3 The bottom tips are in the corners

Calculation

- let's use the most popular 2" x 4" geese block as an example

- add 2" to the finished length 4" + 2" = 6"

- add 1 1/2" to the finished width 2" + 1 1/2" = 3 1/2"

Cutting (makes 4 blocks)

- cut a 6" x 6" square and cut it in half diagonally twice (4 goose triangles)

- cut four 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares and cut them in half diagonally once (8 sky triangles)

Piecing

- sew a sky triangle to a goose triangle and press the seam toward the sky triangle (figure 1)

- sew another sky triangle to the other side and press the seam (figure 2)

Trimming

- align the cross-hair of the horizontal 1/4" line and the vertical 2 1/4" line of your square ruler with the tip of the goose triangle and

- be sure that the cross-hair of the horizontal 2 1/2" line and the right side of the ruler is on the right seam-line (if not adjust your ruler).

- trim off the excess from the top and right sides

- turn the block with 180° to either side

- square up the block to 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

If you followed the above steps you should end up with perfect flying geese blocks. It seems like a lot of steps, but it goes fast with a little practice.

I chain-piece my blocks and finger-press the first seem to save time. I press the blocks with my iron only before I square them up.

I hope you will try my method and let me know how you liked it!